Dr Jacqueline Coombe

an IUD, for example, and having to get it in.

So I think that plays a big role as well.

Yes.

Yes, kind of.

So when we talk about efficacy for contraceptive methods, we talk about efficacy in two ways.

So there's perfect use and that's how that method is used perfectly.

And it's usually in a lab environment.

It's not really representative of real life.

And then we talk about typical use, so how it's actually used in real life.

So for a method like the IUD, we only have perfect use rates of ID because once it's in, there is nothing you, the person, can do that will stop it working, which is why they're also super effective.

It doesn't rely on you doing anything.

So the pill, and I've got it in my notes so I didn't get this wrong, so the pill under perfect use conditions is more than 99% effective.

Typical use conditions, 93% effective.

So that means in a year of use, seven women will get pregnant while using it.

And that doesn't mean that they stuffed it up.

It might mean they took it and then they got gastro and they had diarrhea or they were vomiting.

You know, there's all sorts of reasons why.

Maybe you forgot to take it on time.

You know, stuff happens, life happens and you end up pregnant.

So yes, that's usually how that happens, how people get pregnant on the pill.